Sushi Fest at Burlington Wegmans

A celebration of Japanese cuisine at Wegmans in Burlington, Massachusetts, is bringing the excitement of Japan’s Fukuoka fish market straight to customers in the store. On Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., a large space within the Market Café ordinarily dedicated to self-serve prepared food bars will be transformed by ice tables filled with stunning displays of exotic fresh fish flown in overnight from around the world (while supplies last). At past events in other Wegmans stores, some shoppers have traveled nearly 100 miles to wait in line for the unique cuts of fish prepared by Wegmans’ premier sushi chefs.

The ringing of a brass bell signals the start of the main attraction: A Maguro no Kaitai show at 1 p.m. both days. The show will feature a sustainably-sourced whole, full-life cycle farm-raised bluefin tuna, masterfully taken apart with a 6-foot knife and filleted in front of the crowd. The tuna is portioned and the final cuts are made into sashimi-style pieces called saku blocks, which are then packaged and carried out on trays for customers to purchase.

A crowd-sized game of “rock-paper-scissors” played in Japanese offers a coveted award to the final players: a free package of nakaochi, a highly-prized scrape of tuna from the bone. There’s also an auction of toro, the valuable fatty tuna belly known for its melt-in-your-mouth flavor and tender texture.

The rare and highly-coveted bluefin tuna is renowned for its rich, refreshing flavor, clean finish, and fine texture. No antibiotics or growth hormones are used in the farming process. Wegmans Food Markets’ internationally acclaimed and Japanese-trained chefs and fish-cutters will work together during the breakdown of each tuna.

Among the varieties of sashimi to order are octopus from Fukuoka, tai (red sea bream) from Ehime, and Kampachi (similar to yellowtail Hamachi) from Kagoshima.

“Sushi Fest is a celebration of food and people, featuring unique products and ingredients that aren’t typically found in this region,” said Wegmans Burlington Store Manager Jeff Kuczynski. “This event is a special opportunity to highlight our culinary experts and give our customers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.”

Additional food offerings during Sushi Fest include miso-marinated fish, select cuts of Japanese A-5 Wagyu, fresh Japanese vegetables, and snack items like Hello Panda cookies, Pocky and Chocorooms. Tastings of Japanese whiskey and sake will be available, and a vivid array of orchids add color to the festivities.